Types of Dogs

Service Dog

Full protection under ADA

A Service Animal is NOT a pet. The ADA defines a service animal as a guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by state or local government. At Veteran Service Dogs, a certified Service Animal has completed a basic obedience course, has been trained for disability-mitigating tasks, has passed a public access certification, and has passed the AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluation.

Standards

Each team (Service Dog and Handler) works with us very closely to conform to our standards. The ADA has a minimal set of requirements. We require far more.

Protection

The Service Dog and team are afforded full protection under Federal and State laws. Service animals may go anywhere the public has access as long as they are well behaved. You are allowed to have your service animal with you in your apartment, hotel room, stores, theaters, restaurants, on beaches, airplanes, etc., without having to pay extra fees or deposits.

Assistance Animal (ESA)

NO protection under ADA - Protections under FHA

An assistance animal (sometimes refered to as an Emotional Support Animal) is an animal that works, provides assistance, or performs tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability, or that provides emotional support that alleviates one or more identified effects of a person’s disability. An assistance animal is not a pet. An Assistance Animal (or ESA) is typically trained for basic obedience and has been trained to provide emotionally supportive behaviors for their handler. These behaviors are typically centered around providing affection and emotionally supportive behaviors to the handler when the dog senses a depressed or emotionally disturbed state.

Standards

Standards vary widely from dog to dog. In some cases, Veteran Service Dogs will train and certify a dog as an ESA prior to training a dog as a Service Dog.

Protection

The Emotional Support Dog and team are NOT afforded any protection under ADA. However, housing protections are afforded under the Federal Fair Housing Act. Housing providers cannot refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services when such accommodations may be necessary to afford a person with a disability the equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(B). While some airlines do allow Emotional Support Dogs to accompany their handler on a flight, it is not required, and is up to the discretion of the airline.

Therapy Dog

NO protection under ADA

A Therapy Dog is typically trained for basic obedience and has been trained to provide emotionally supportive behaviors for others. These behaviors are typically centered around providing affection to people when the dog senses a depressed or emotionally disturbed state. These dogs are typically seen in a hospital environment providing care and affection to patients.

Standards

Standards vary widely from dog to dog. Since there are no certification requirements, these dogs are not usually professionally trained.

Protection

The Therapy Dog and team are NOT afforded any protection under law. While many hospitals do allow Therapy Dogs to visit patients, it is not required, and is up to the discretion of the hospital. The hospitals usually require that a Therapy Dog be registered and evaluated by the hospital prior to allowing access.

Companion Dog

NO protection under ADA

A Companion Dog is typically a pet. there is usually no professional obedience training provided. These animals are just a pet. They are still great, and a member of the family, just not afforded any protections under law.

Standards

Standards vary widely from dog to dog. Since there are no certification requirements, these dogs are not usually professionally trained.

Protection

The Companion Dog and team are NOT afforded any protection under the law.